bike

Watch the video. It says it all.

To put it into proper context, let me say, I was euphoric getting into the groove, 6 kilometers into the ride to work. It was bliss…really. And the bike needs some work…so that’s saying a LOT.

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Yeah, I drew this thing.

It’s the “poster” for Big Walk. Big Walk is the realization of my discussion with Scott Knowles…the now-professor who was part of the 24Hrs. trio that began a series of 24-hour walks in American cities (among other things).

It’s unreasonable top make a poster for this, because I’m only taking 25 people with me. And of those 25 spots available, there are actually only 20 spots left (or so) and of those, I am sure that the group helping organize it will be taking up at least 8.

Big Table is a group of people I asked to get together with me every Thursday at 1pm. Why? These mentors of mine, doers in their own right, festival organizers, volunteers, idea-people, resource-collectors, arts-minded, cultural individuals are altruistic enablers. They come together every week to help anyone within the group to realize an event, project, festival, whatever…

Big Walk (the name takes the moniker from Big Table) was put together by the members of the group, and the trail has been plotted by the members of the group. I could not have planned it without them, and now I am super-anxious to see it come to fruition.

Big Walk is scheduled for 8am on November 8, and will finish at the starting point 16 hours later, at midnight. We will be walking across the city back and forth, up and down, north of Ottawa Street primarily…but keeping within the oldest quarter of the city (closest to the Detroit River).

We plan on stopping for four sit-down meals and some short tours of certain select spots. We also plan on visiting several local businesses, some you may know, some you may not, to increase awareness of what they have to offer. Most of these stops will be culturally significant or historically significant stops. So we’re not stopping at a car dealership, or a mall.

What will everyone take from this walk, besides sore feet? I think we will have a renewed sense of our city, in the area researched, because we will be unable to ignore the subtleties we are habitually glazing over when we drive or bike. These walkers will be seeing the trash (or lack thereof) in certain neighbourhoods, the road conditions, the abrupt endings to bike lanes, and the faces of many houses we have never turned our heads to enjoy.

Personally, I look forward to seeing how much environmentally significant spots we discover, or discover ruined. The city life finds us hunting for parks and green spots more and more, and I hope that I can leave this walk with the sense that not all is lost in the natural history of Windsor. My home.

If you want in, e-mail me. phoglounge@gmail.com

I will soon release the locations of our meals, snacks, breaks, etc.

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Riding my bike around town has been limited. Yes, I take the trip to work, but I take the same route every time, because I know it is the safest/shortest trip. In my end of town, I’m not really aware of anywhere else I can ride my bike if I’m not thundering toward work. Until…

My wife was psyched to go for a ride some time a week or so ago, and we hit the streets. We decided to head toward the Detroit River, north from our home, where there is a long-time favourite trail along the riverfront called the Ganatchio Trail. Everyone uses this thing. It isn’t however, located on the west end, but is situated toward the east end of town. It’s good for me, because I live out here now, but in the old days, I would not have even given it a second thought because it is an “east end” kind of ride.

On our trip, I was shown by my wife where the new St. Joseph’s high school was located (hidden) out near where the new (much debated) arena is located. It just so happens that they are located very close to the city limit, bordering a town called Tecumseh…a known spot for people with a little more money, and inhabitants who have often moved from Windsor, literally down the road, to a place where the taxes are less…and most importantly, is NOT near the dreaded West End or the “dangerous” downtown.

Are you sensing an opinion forming about elitist-driven projects, rooted in parts of town where people have money?

So as we are riding, Jhoan suggests we get onto this trail in the same area as the arena and new high school are…

Taking this mostly-unpublicized trail was a mind-altering event for me, because it was like riding through the closest thing we have to a nature preserve. Untouched trees, mingling alongside the Little River, with wet areas, and park areas, ponds, etc. I found myself shocked that this existed. It was a wonderful option for me to take when I am not working, but still want some aerobic exercise.

Since I went to this place, I started telling other bike riders, and other people who live in the west end, or downtown, but who love to trek wherever the bike is welcome. NONE of them knew what I was talking about.

“It’s an extension of the Ganatchio…it goes south, perpindicular to the existing trail. it’s incredible!”

“Never heard of it,” they replied.

So, I took some video while riding it for the first time, and I thought I’d share it with you.

[blip.tv ?posts_id=1072657&dest=-1]

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